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Liver Cirrhosis

Also indexed as:Cirrhosis, Liver

Get added support for this serious disease by taking care of your nutritional needs. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

Related Topics

About This Condition

Cirrhosis is a condition of severe damage to the liver that impairs its ability to function normally.

In the United States, the most common cause of liver cirrhosis is chronic alcoholism. Liver cirrhosis may also result from chronic viral infection of the
liver (hepatitis types B, C, and D) and a number of inherited
diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, hemochromatosis, and Wilson’s disease. If severe, liver cirrhosis may lead to liver
failure and death. In the Western world, liver cirrhosis is the third leading cause of death in people from
ages 45 to 65 (after cardiovascular disease and cancer).1 Liver cirrhosis may also cause a dangerous
brain abnormality called portal-systemic encephalopathy (PSE), which may lead to coma. Another form of
cirrhosis, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), damages the bile ducts in the liver, and occurs primarily in
women over 35 years of age. The cause of PBC is not known.

Symptoms

Many people with cirrhosis have no symptoms for years. Others may have weakness, loss of appetite, malaise, and weight loss. With blocked bile flow, it is common for people with cirrhosis to have jaundice, itching, and fatty yellow skin nodules. Later in the disease, there may be massive bleeding inside the throat, brain abnormalities due to accumulation of ammonia in the blood, liver failure, and death.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Alcoholism is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis in the Western world. Drinking too much alcohol also impairs the absorption and accelerates loss of several nutrients.2, 3, 4 Therefore, avoidance of alcohol is strongly recommended for people with liver cirrhosis. Alcohol is directly toxic to the liver. In people with alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis, even moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of portal hypertension, a dangerous blood pressure abnormality in the liver’s circulation.5

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2016.